The Martyrdom of Saint Bartholomew. . First painting illustrates martyrdom and physical torment. The almost naked apostle Bartholomew looks at us helplessly, while a sadistic drunken executioner delightedly flays him. On the ground, a classical sculpture, which has been identified as the god Baldach, and in the background two priests, their heads covered, are witnesses to the torture. . Bartholomew was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus according to the New Testament. According to legends he was skinned alive and beheaded so is often depicted holding his flayed skin or the curved flensing knife with which he was skinned. . During World War II, the Fascist regime looked for ways to finance their activities. The order was given to take the silver statue of Saint Bartholomew and melt it down. The statue was weighed, and it was found to be only a few grams. It was returned to its place in the Cathedral of Lipari. In reality, the statue is made from many kilograms of silver and it is considered a miracle that it was not melted down. . . . . . . . #bartholonew #martyrdom #art #artist #artwork #apostle #jesus #ancient #ancienthistory #medieval #medievalhistory #history #history360 #church #story #saint #bookstagram #books #book https://www.instagram.com/p/B94tScXHXfZ/?igshid=ykp0xtlu5r7f
